Method for reducing odoriferous and/or toxic residual monomer in a latex

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and efficient toxicity and/or odor reducing method for ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile contained aqueous polymer dispersion.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a method for reducing odoriferous and/or toxic residual monomers, particularly residual ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile in an aqueous polymer dispersion.

Ethyl acrylate (EA) is a common and renewable monomer used in the production of polymers including resins, plastics, rubber, and denture material. It can be prepared by several industrial methods, for example, acrylonitrile can be reacted with ethanol using sulfuric acid as a catalyst to produce ethyl acrylate. It may also be prepared from acetylene, carbon monoxide and ethanol. Ethyl acrylate will readily polymerize upon standing and polymerization is accelerated by heat, light, and peroxides. However, ethyl acrylate has safety issues due to its flammability, toxicity, and high reactivity.

One favorable factor of detecting the harmful ethyl acrylate in the polymers is that ethyl acrylate has a very special and bad odor, greater than 2 ppm residual EA in the latex will result in seriously unpleasant odor, general chasing method not easy to remove the trace residual EA monomer.

Acrylonitrile (AN), is another commonly used monomer in polymer industry, such as such as styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) and other synthetic rubbers such as acrylonitrile butadiene (NBR). It is also widely used in coating, adhesive, non-wave, paper, concrete application and contributes lots of performance value like bindering strength, tensile strength, solvent resistance and so on. But it is highly flammable and toxic, and the burning material releases fumes of hydrogen cyanide and oxides of nitrogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified it as a Class 2B carcinogen (possibly carcinogenic). Acrylonitrile increases cancer in high dose tests in male and female rats and mice. So, in the industrial application, especially in decorative coating, the residual acrylonitrile monomer is a big issue for human health.

Currently, most approaches for reducing the amount of residual monomers of EA and/or acrylonitrile in aqueous dispersant, focusing on chasing the residual monomers are not efficient and result in other negative effects in performance and bring additional VOC. These methods are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,087,676, 6,365,709, 6,433,132 and 5,994,457.

Other attempts include using carbonyl compounds and/or their reaction products in the after-treatment of aqueous polymer dispersions as disclosed in the following patent applications/patents.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,332,565B2 discloses a method for reducing the amount of residual monomer in aqueous polymer dispersions by post-treatment with an initiator system comprises after-treating the aqueous polymer dispersion with addition of an initiator system essentially comprising an inorganic salt of persulfuric acid, methyl ketone, and catalytic amounts of a metal ion as optional which is able to exist in a plurality of valence states.

This method is efficient for reducing residual EA and/or AN monomers to a relatively low level for reducing the odor and toxicity, but for very low threshold EA and high toxic monomer AN, it is difficult to remove completely. Also, less residual monomer need more initiator, it will bring some negative results for performance compromising such as scrub resistance, flexibility and contribute lots of VOCs for the aqueous dispersant.

There is still a desire in the coating area, especially, in the architectural coating area, to find a new method of reducing the residual monomer of EA and/or acrylonitrile in the aqueous polymer dispersion. Therefore, the use of EA and/or acrylonitrile in the coating area could be developed and worries to the toxic and harmful problems of these residual monomers are no longer necessary. This new method is very simple, efficient and environmentally friendly, most important, the cost is low.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

The present invention is a method comprising contacting a sufficient amount of an ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenging compound with a stable aqueous dispersion of a polymer to form a polymeric dispersion that contains less than 1 ppm of ethyl acrylate and less than 1 ppm acrylonitrile; wherein the polymer contains a) polymerized units of acrylonitrile and/or ethyl acrylate and b) at least 5 ppm of ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile monomers; and wherein the ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenging compounds are contacted with the dispersion independently from contact of the dispersion with any redox pairs.

In a second aspect, the present invention is a composition comprising a) an ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenger and/or an adduct of the ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenger; and b) a stable aqueous dispersion of a polymer containing units of ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile; wherein if the polymer contains units of ethyl acrylate, the composition contains less than 1 ppm ethyl acrylate monomer, and an ethyl acrylate scavenger, and/or an adduct of ethyl acrylate and the ethyl acrylate scavenger; and wherein if the polymer contains units of acrylonitrile, the composition further contains less than 1 ppm acrylonitrile monomer, and an acrylonitrile scavenger, and/or an adduct of acrylonitrile and the acrylonitrile scavenger. The present invention provides a toxicity and/or odor reducing method for ethyl acrylate- and/or acrylonitrile-containing aqueous dispersion of a polymer comprising a contacting a sufficient amount of one or more compounds that react with residual ethyl acrylate and acrylonitrile monomers (an ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenger) to reduce the concentration of the odoriferous compound to less than 1 ppm and preferably an amount to produce a dispersion wherein the residual ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile is slightly detectable or undectable; preferably, the ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenger is added to the latex at a concentration of from 0.01 wt % to 5 wt % basing on the dry weight of the aqueous dispersion of a polymer.

The present invention further provides a coating composition comprising the aqueous dispersion of a polymer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of describing the components in the compositions of the present invention, all phrases comprising parenthesis denote either or both of the included parenthetical matter and its absence. For example, the phrase “(co)polymer” includes, in the alternative, polymer, copolymer and mixtures thereof; the phrase “(meth)acrylate” means acrylate, methacrylate, and mixtures thereof, and the phrase “(meth)acrylic” used herein means acrylic, methacrylic, and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term “aqueous dispersion” refers to a composition containing discrete polymer particles dispersed in an aqueous medium, for example, aqueous polymer emulsion.

The ethyl acrylate (EA)/acrylonitrile (AN) scavenging compounds used in the toxicity and/or odor reducing method of this invention typically react with residual ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile of the aqueous dispersion at ambient condition or by heating at less than 80° C. The suitable EA/AN scavenging compound contains at least one functional group which can react with double bond of ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile to form the water soluble no volatile saturated compound.

The suitable EA/AN scavenging compound includes, but not limited to bisulfite salt such as ammonium bisulfite, sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite; sulfite salt such as ammonium sulfite, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite; mercaptan carboxylic acid or salt such as mercaptacetic acid, sodium thioglycolate, calcium thioglycolate, thiohydracylic acid; high boiling point water soluble alkamine such as diethanolamine, N-(2-aminoethyl)ethanolamine, triethyltetramine; amino acid such as glycine, 3-aminopropanoic acid, 4-aminobutyric acid, 5-aminovaleric acid, 6-aminocaproric acid.

Preferably, the EA/AN scavenging compound is water soluble and reacts with the residual ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile in aqueous polymer dispersion at ambient condition. A suitable ambient EA/AN scavenging compound is bisulfate salt such as ammonium bisulfite, sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite; sulfite salt such as ammonium sulfite, sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite.

Suitable level of EA/AN scavenging compound in the aqueous polymer dispersion include from 0.01 to 5 wt %, preferably from 0.01 to 2 wt %, and more preferably, from 0.1 to 1 wt %, based on the total dry weight of the aqueous polymer dispersion.

The EA/AN scavenging compound is added into the aqueous polymer dispersion after the polymerization is finished.

The EA/AN scavenging compound of the present invention is added into the system independently from any redox pairs.

In one embodiment, prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to contacting the EA/AN scavenging compounds with the aqueous polymer dispersion, one or more redox pairs are contacted with the aqueous polymer dispersion.

In this embodiment, preferably, redox pairs are contacted with the aqueous polymer dispersion prior to contacting the EA/AN scavenging compounds with the aqueous polymer dispersion.

In another embodiment, no redox pair is contacted with the aqueous polymer dispersion. In other words, radical reaction caused by conventional redox pair is not happening in this embodiment.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a composition comprising a) an adduct of the ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenger; and b) a stable aqueous dispersion of a polymer containing units of ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile; wherein if the polymer contains units of ethyl acrylate, the composition contains less than 1 ppm ethyl acrylate monomer, and an adduct of ethyl acrylate and the acrylate scavenger; and wherein if the polymer contains units of acrylonitrile, the composition further contains less than 1 ppm acrylonitrile monomer, and an adduct of acrylonitrile and the acrylate scavenger.

As used herein, an adduct of the ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenger is a reaction product of ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile. Such reaction products can readily be identified by gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) methods. For example, a model experiment can be carried out to pre-determine the reaction products of acrylonitrile and sodium bisulfite. Headspace GC/MS analysis of the latex post-reacted with the scavenger will give at least one product consistent with the model experiment.

The preparation and the selection of monomers of the aqueous polymer dispersion are not limited, and the dispersion may be prepared by well known polymerization techniques, such as suspension polymerization or emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

The EA and/or AN containing aqueous polymer dispersion of the present invention may comprise other copolymerized ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomers. The ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomers that may be used in the present invention include, for example, (meth)acrylic ester monomers, where (meth)acrylic ester designates methacrylic ester or acrylic ester, including methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, decyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, isodecyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate; (meth)acrylonitrile; (meth)acrylamide; amino-functional and ureido-functional monomers; monomers bearing acetoacetate-functional groups; styrene and substituted styrenes; butadiene; ethylene, propylene, α-olefins such as 1-decene; vinyl acetate, vinyl butyrate, vinyl versatate and other vinyl esters; and vinyl monomers such as vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride.

The aqueous polymer dispersion of the present invention may further comprises up to 10%, preferably up to 5%, by weight based on the dry weight of the aqueous polymer dispersion, of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer carrying at least one functional group selected from carboxyl, carboxylic anhydride, hydroxyl, amide, sulphonate, phosphonate and mixtures thereof. Examples of these types of monomers are ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic or dicarboxylic acids, especially acrylic or methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid; and amides, especially N-alkylolamides or hydroxyalkyl esters of the above-mentioned carboxylic acids, such as (meth)acrylamide, N-methylol(meth)acrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylamide, hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, and hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate.

Conventional free radical initiators may be included such as, for example, hydrogen peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, ammonium and/or alkali metal persulfates, sodium perborate, perphosphoric acid and salts thereof, potassium permanganate, and ammonium or alkali metal salts of peroxydisulfuric acid, typically at a level of 0.01% to 3.0% by weight, based on the weight of total monomer. Redox pairs using the same initiators coupled with a suitable reductant such as, for example, sodium sulfoxylate formaldehyde, ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, alkali metal and ammonium salts of sulfur-containing acids, such as sodium sulfite, bisulfite, thiosulfate, hydrosulfite, sulfide, hydrosulfide or dithionite, formadinesulfinic acid, hydroxymethanesulfonic acid, acetone bisulfite, amines such as ethanolamine, glycolic acid, glyoxylic acid hydrate, lactic acid, glyceric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and salts of the preceding acids may be used. Redox reaction catalyzing metal salts of iron, copper, manganese, silver, platinum, vanadium, nickel, chromium, palladium, or cobalt may be used. Chelating agents for the metals may optionally be used.

Chain transfer agents such as, for example, halogen compounds such as tetrabromomethane; allyl compounds; or mercaptans such as alkyl thioglycolates, alkyl mercaptoalkanoates, and C4-C22 linear or branched alkyl mercaptans may be used to lower the molecular weight of the emulsion polymer and/or to provide a different molecular weight distribution than would otherwise have been obtained with any free-radical-generating initiator(s). Chain transfer agent(s) may be added in one or more additions or continuously, linearly or not, over most or all of the entire reaction period or during limited portion(s) of the reaction period such as, for example, in the kettle charge and in the reduction of residual monomer stage. Chain transfer agent is typically used in the amount of 0 to 5 wt %, based on the total weight of monomer used to form the aqueous emulsion copolymer. A preferred level of chain transfer agent is from 0.01 to 0.5, more preferably from 0.02 to 0.4 and most preferably from 0.05 to 0.2 mole %, based on the total number of moles of monomer used to form the polymer dispersed in the aqueous polymer dispersion of the present invention.

As one of the applications of the low odor aqueous polymer dispersions, a low odor coating composition is achievable by the present invention by using the polymer dispersion as a binder.

The low odor coating composition is suitable for various EA and/or acrylonitrile containing coating systems including, such as acrylic coatings, vinyl acrylic coatings, styrene acrylic coatings, powder coatings, alkyd resin coatings, solvent urethane coatings, and epoxy coatings.

The aqueous coating composition of the present invention contains at least one conventional coatings adjuvant, including but not limited to, coalescing agents, cosolvents, surfactants, buffers, neutralizers, thickeners, non-thickening rheology modifiers, dispersants, humectants, wetting agents, midewcides, biocides, plasticizers, antifoaming agents, defoaming agents, anti-skinning agents, colorants, flowing agents, crosslinkers, anti-oxidants.

The low odor coating composition is suitable for application onto various substrates including bare or pre-painted substrates such as, but not limited to, cement, ceramic, tile, painting, glass, plastic, wood, metal, woven and non-woven textile, and paper; extremely suitable for consumer products with olfaction requirements, which containing or covered by above mentioned substrates.

In the present specification, the technical features in each preferred technical solution and more preferred technical solution can be combined with each other to form new technical solutions unless indicated otherwise. For briefness, the applicant omits the descriptions for these combinations. However, all the technical solutions obtained by combing these technical features should be deemed as being literally described in the present specification in an explicit manner.

The following examples are presented to illustrate the process and the composition of the invention. These examples are intended to aid those skilled in the art in understanding the present invention. The present invention is, however, in no way limited thereby.

EXAMPLES

I. Raw Materials

The following materials were used in the polymerization:

Abbreviation Chemical Nature BA Butyl Acrylate EA Ethyl Acrylate AN Acrylonitrile ST Styrene APS Ammonia Persulfate SPS Sodium Persulfate MMA Methyl Methacrylate AM Acrylamide (M)AA (Meth)acrylic Acid SBS Sodium Bisulfite Na₂SO₃ Sodium Sulfite H₂O₂ Hydrogen Peroxide t-BHP tert-Butyl hydroperoxide EDTA Tetrasodium Salt of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid IAA Erythorbic Acid The following materials were used in the formulation:

Materials Function Supplier Propylene glycol Solvent Acrysol AP-10 Thickener Dow Chemical Company Orotan 1288 Dispersant Dow Chemical Company Triton CF-10 Wetting agent Dow Chemical Company Dispelair CF-246 Defoamer Blackburn Ti-Pure R-706 Pigment Dupont CC-1000 Extender Opaque Ultra E Extender Dow Chemical Company Teaxanol Solvent Eastman Acrysol RM-2020 NPR Thickener Dow Chemical Company Acrysol RM-8W Thickener Dow Chemical Company The following processes were used in the examples:

-   -   The Residual Monomer Test (GC)

The sample was analyzed by headspace-GC/FID using a dual column setup. Column A: DB-Wax; Column B: Rtx-200. The sample was equilibrated at 130° C. for 10 min in Headspace Autosampler. The GC method used was a 45° C. hold for 5 min and then a ramp at 20° C./min to 240° C.

-   -   Odor Evaluation According to Olfaction Sensation in EA         Containing Aqueous Dispersion         The odor evaluation was performed as: 10 people selected for         smell the in-can odor of different aqueous dispersions, then         gave the rate, the rates were given in tables based on the         average evaluation. The results were ranked on a scale of 1 to 5         as described below.

Rank Odor of EA 5 Serious 4 Strong 3 Middle 2 Slight 1 No

Example 1

An aqueous dispersion A was prepared as following process: A mixture of 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), and 641.53 g of deionized water was added to the flask and heated to 91° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. A monomer emulsion (ME) was prepared by mixing 476.72 g of deionized water, 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), 1428.0 g EA, 421.59 g MMA, 18.87 g AA and 9.30 g AM.

With the contents of the flask at 90° C., the following materials were added in order: a solution of 6.55 g of sodium carbonate in 22.50 g of deionized water, a mixture of 56.44 g of monomer emulsion and 30.15 g of deionized water, and a solution of 7.48 g APS in 18.50 g deionized water. The ME and 390.0 g deionized water were then added to the flask over a period of less than 1.5 hours while maintaining the contents of the flask at a temperature of 88° C.

After the complete addition of the ME, the ME container was rinsed with 35.40 g of deionized water. The flask was allowed to cool to 55° C., a solution of 7.2 g sodium hydroxide in 172.8 g deionized water was added no less than 25 minutes. Next, 60.0g deionized water to dilute the aqueous dispersant and the contents of the flask were filtered to remove any coagulum. The resulting aqueous polymer dispersion A had a pH of 8.15 and 50.05 wt % solids.

Example 2

An aqueous dispersion B was prepared as following process: A mixture of 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), and 641.53 g of deionized water was added to the flask and heated to 91° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. A monomer emulsion (ME) was prepared by mixing 476.72 g of deionized water, 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), 1428.0 g EA, 421.59 g MMA, 18.87 g AA and 9.30 g AM.

With the contents of the flask at 90° C., the following materials were added in order: a solution of 6.55 g of sodium carbonate in 22.50 g of deionized water, a mixture of 56.44 g of monomer emulsion and 30.15 g of deionized water, and a solution of 7.48 g APS in 18.50 g deionized water. The ME and 390.0 g deionized water were then added to the flask over a period of less than 1.5 hours while maintaining the contents of the flask at a temperature of 88° C.

After the complete addition of the ME, the ME container was rinsed with 35.40 g of deionized water. After 20 minutes, add a mixture of 5.25 g of a solution of 0.2 wt % iron sulfate in water, 1.91 g of a solution of 1 wt % EDTA in water. When the temperature of the solution lower than 70° C., a solution of 1.10 g of 70% t-BHP in 15.0 g of deionized water and a solution of 0.75 g of IAA in 16.0 g of deionized water were added over a period of less than 20 minutes and the contents of the flask was allowed to cool to 45° C. Next, a solution of 7.2 g sodium hydroxide in 172.8 g deionized water was added no less than 25 minutes and the contents of the flask were filtered to remove any coagulum. The resulting aqueous polymer dispersion B had a pH of 8.2 and 49.85 wt % solids.

The resulting samples A and B were subjected to residual monomer test directly or post add SBS or Na₂SO₃ to the sample for stiffing 8 hours (The loading of SBS and Na₂SO₃ as following Table 1) then to GC residual monomer test, GC test and EA odor evaluation results as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Residual EA Removal with EA/AN scavenging compound and EA Odor Evaluation Post Treated Nucleophile Residual EA Odor Sample Redox pair SBS Na₂SO₃ (ppm) of EA Dispersion A No 800 ND*  0.05% 400 ND*  0.10% 108 ND*  0.20% 25 5  0.40% <1 1 0.40% <1 1 Dispersion B t-BHP/IAA 5 4 0.005% <1 2  0.03% <1 1 0.03% <1 1 Dispersion A** No  0.40% <1 1 Dispersion B** t-BHP/IAA  0.03% <1 1 *High residual monomer, did not odor evaluation **Treated at 50° C. for 30 minutes

Example 3

An aqueous dispersion C was prepared as following process: A mixture of 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), and 641.53 g of deionized water was added to the flask and heated to 91° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. A monomer emulsion (ME) was prepared by mixing 476.72 g of deionized water, 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), 1428.0 g EA, 421.59 g MMA, 18.87 g AA and 9.30 g AM.

With the contents of the flask at 90° C., the following materials were added in order: a solution of 6.55 g of sodium carbonate in 22.50 g of deionized water, a mixture of 56.44 g of monomer emulsion and 30.15 g of deionized water, and a solution of 7.48 g APS in 18.50 g deionized water. The ME and 390.0 g deionized water were then added to the flask over a period of less than 1.5 hours while maintaining the contents of the flask at a temperature of 88° C.

After the complete addition of the ME, the ME container was rinsed with 35.40 g of deionized water. After 20 minutes, add a mixture of 5.25 g of a solution of 0.2 wt % iron sulfate in water, 1.91 g of a solution of 1 wt % EDTA in water. When the temperature of the solution lower than 70° C., a solution of 1.10 g of 70% t-BHP in 15.0 g of deionized water and a solution of 0.75 g of IAA in 16.0 g of deionized water were added over a period of less than 20 minutes, then a solution of 1.17 g SBS in 20.0 g deionized water was added to flask, holding for 30 minumtes and the contents of the flask was allowed to cool to 45° C. Next, a solution of 7.2 g sodium hydroxide in 172.8 g deionized water was added and the contents of the flask were filtered to remove any coagulum and obtained the resulting dispersant C. Not found EA in the resulting aqueous polymer dispersion C.

Example 4

An aqueous dispersion D was prepared as following process: A mixture of 33.48 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), and 950.0 g of deionized water was added to the flask and heated to 86° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. A monomer emulsion (ME) was prepared by mixing 485.0 g of deionized water, 62.18 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), 1336.6 g BA, 346.64 g MMA, 476.5 g AN and 28.48 g MAA.

With the contents of the flask at 85° C., the following materials were added in order: a solution of 2.81 g of sodium carbonate in 22.50 g of deionized water, a mixture of 58.35 g of monomer emulsion and 30.15 g of deionized water, and a solution of 5.61 g APS in 18.50 g deionized water. The ME and 2.81 g APS in 105.0 g deionized water were then added to the flask over a period of less than 3.0 hours while maintaining the contents of the flask at a temperature of 83° C.

After the complete addition of the ME, the ME container was rinsed with 38.50 g of deionized water. The flask was allowed to cool to 55° C., a solution of 4.8 g sodium hydroxide in 115.2 g deionized water was added no less than 30 minutes. Next, 80.0 g deionized water to dilute the aqueous dispersant and the contents of the flask were filtered to remove any coagulum. The resulting aqueous polymer dispersion D had a pH of 7.8 and 49.50 wt % solids.

Example 5

An aqueous dispersion E was prepared as following process: A mixture of 33.48 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), and 950.0 g of deionized water was added to the flask and heated to 86° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. A monomer emulsion (ME) was prepared by mixing 485.0 g of deionized water, 62.18 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), 1336.6 g BA, 346.64 g MMA, 476.5 g AN and 28.48 g MAA.

With the contents of the flask at 85° C., the following materials were added in order: a solution of 2.81 g of sodium carbonate in 22.50 g of deionized water, a mixture of 58.35 g of monomer emulsion and 30.15 g of deionized water, and a solution of 5.61 g APS in 18.50 g deionized water. The ME and 2.81 g APS in 105.0 g deionized water were then added to the flask over a period of less than 3.0 hours while maintaining the contents of the flask at a temperature of 83° C.

After the complete addition of the ME, the ME container was rinsed with 38.50 g of deionized water. After 40 minutes, add a mixture of 4.85 g of a solution of 0.2 wt % iron sulfate in water, 1.83 g of a solution of 1 wt % EDTA in water. When the temperature of the solution lower than 70° C., a solution of 2.50 g of 70% t-BHP in 25.0 g of deionized water and a solution of 1.35 g of IAA in 25.0 g of deionized water were added over a period of less than 40 minutes and the contents of the flask was allowed to cool to 45° C. Next, a solution of 7.2 g sodium hydroxide in 172.8 g deionized water was added and the contents of the flask were filtered to remove any coagulum. The resulting aqueous polymer dispersion E had a pH of 8.25 and 48.9 wt % solids.

The resulting samples D and E were subjected to residual monomer test directly or post add SBS or Na₂SO₃ to the sample for stirring 8 hours (The loading of SBS and Na₂SO₃ as following Table 2) then to GC residual monomer test, the results as shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Residual AN Removal with EA/AN scavenging compound EA/AN scavenging Post Treated compound Sample Redox pair SBS Na₂SO₃ Residual AN (ppm) Dispersion D No 1200  0.05% 1050  0.20% 380  0.40% <1 0.40% <1 Dispersion E t-BHP/IAA 10 0.005% 5  0.02% <1  0.05% <1 0.02% <1

Example 6

An aqueous dispersion F was prepared as following process: A mixture of 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), and 641.53 g of deionized water was added to the flask and heated to 91° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. A monomer emulsion (ME) was prepared by mixing 476.72 g of deionized water, 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), 1428.0 g EA, 421.59 g MMA, 18.87 g AA and 9.30 g AM.

With the contents of the flask at 90° C., the following materials were added in order: a solution of 6.55 g of sodium carbonate in 22.50 g of deionized water, a mixture of 56.44 g of monomer emulsion and 30.15 g of deionized water, and a solution of 7.48 g APS in 18.50 g deionized water. The ME and 390.0 g deionized water were then added to the flask over a period of less than 1.5 hours while maintaining the contents of the flask at a temperature of 88° C.

After the complete addition of the ME, the ME container was rinsed with 35.40 g of deionized water. After 40 minutes, a solution of 7.2 g sodium hydroxide in 172.8 g deionized water was added no less than 25 minutes and the contents of the flask were filtered to remove any coagulum. The resulting aqueous polymer dispersion F had a pH of 8.1 and 50.15 wt % solids.

Example 7

An aqueous dispersion G was prepared as following process: A mixture of 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), and 641.53 g of deionized water was added to the flask and heated to 91° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. A monomer emulsion (ME) was prepared by mixing 476.72 g of deionized water, 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), 1428.0 g EA, 421.59 g MMA, 18.87 g AA and 9.30 g AM.

With the contents of the flask at 90° C., the following materials were added in order: a solution of 6.55 g of sodium carbonate in 22.50 g of deionized water, a mixture of 56.44 g of monomer emulsion and 30.15 g of deionized water, and a solution of 7.48 g APS in 18.50 g deionized water. The ME and 390.0 g deionized water were then added to the flask over a period of less than 1.5 hours while maintaining the contents of the flask at a temperature of 88° C.

After the complete addition of the ME, the ME container was rinsed with 35.40 g of deionized water. After 20 minutes, add a mixture of 5.25 g of a solution of 0.2 wt % iron sulfate in water, 1.91 g of a solution of 1 wt % EDTA in water. When the temperature of the solution lower than 70° C., a solution of 1.10 g of 70% t-BHP in 15.0 g of deionized water and a solution of 0.75 g of SBS in 16.0 g of deionized water were added over a period of less than 20 minutes and the contents of the flask was allowed to cool to 45° C. Next, a solution of 7.2 g sodium hydroxide in 172.8 g deionized water was added no less than 25 minutes and the contents of the flask were filtered to remove any coagulum. The resulting aqueous polymer dispersion G had a pH of 8.0 and 49.55 wt % solids.

Example 8

An aqueous dispersion H was prepared as following process: A mixture of 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), and 641.53 g of deionized water was added to the flask and heated to 91° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. A monomer emulsion (ME) was prepared by mixing 476.72 g of deionized water, 26.80 g of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (19.55 wt % solution), 1428.0 g EA, 421.59 g MMA, 18.87 g AA and 9.30 g AM.

With the contents of the flask at 90° C., the following materials were added in order: a solution of 6.55 g of sodium carbonate in 22.50 g of deionized water, a mixture of 56.44 g of monomer emulsion and 30.15 g of deionized water, and a solution of 7.48 g APS in 18.50 g deionized water. The ME and 390.0 g deionized water were then added to the flask over a period of less than 1.5 hours while maintaining the contents of the flask at a temperature of 88° C.

After the complete addition of the ME, the ME container was rinsed with 35.40 g of deionized water. After 20 minutes, add a mixture of 5.25 g of a solution of 0.2 wt % iron sulfate in water, 1.91 g of a solution of 1 wt % EDTA in water. When the temperature of the solution lower than 70° C., a solution of 2.20 g of 70% t-BHP in 15.0 g of deionized water and a solution of 1.50 g of SBS in 16.0 g of deionized water were added over a period of less than 20 minutes and the contents of the flask was allowed to cool to 45° C. Next, a solution of 7.2 g sodium hydroxide in 172.8 g deionized water was added no less than 25 minutes and the contents of the flask were filtered to remove any coagulum. The resulting aqueous polymer dispersion H had a pH of 8.25 and 49.99 wt % solids.

Dispersant F and G were heating for 4 hours for residual EA test. Then treated F and G with different amine and heating for 4 hours at 50° C., the finial residual EA monomer showed in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Residual EA Removal with Amine Residual Post Treated EA Sample Redox pair EA/AN scavenging compound (ppm) Dispersion No No 386 F 0.05% Hydroxylethylethylenediamine 274  0.1% Hydroxylethylethylenediamine 144  0.2% Hydroxylethylethylenediamine 37 0.25% Hydroxylethylethylenediamine <1  0.2% Diethylenetriamine 8 No 48 Dispersion t-BHP/ 0.05% Hydroxylethylethylenediamine 2 G SBS 0.05% Glycine 28 0.05% Ethanolamine 26 0.05% Diethylenetriamine 12 No 13 Dispersion t-BHP/SBS 0.05% Hydroxylethylethylenediamine <1 H (double) 0.05% Glycine 10 0.05% Ethanolamine 6 0.05% Diethylenetriamine 2

It has been discovered that contacting a sodium sulfite or sodium bisulfite or hydroxylethylethylenediamine with a latex containing residual ethyl acrylate and/or acrylonitrile, with or without a redox pair chaser, significantly reduces the levels of the aforementioned odor bodies to levels where they cannot be detected by olfactories. As shown in Table 1 (Dispersions B), mere addition of a redox pair t-BHP/IAA by itself does not reduce EA levels to less than 5 ppm; similarly, Table 2 (Dispersion E) shows that the redox pair alone does not reduce AN levels to less than 10 ppm. Additional 0.02% SBS results in less than 1 ppm residual EA or AN in the latex.

Example 9

The latex paint formulation with dispersant B is in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Latex Paint Formulation Base on the Dispersant B Paint B Ingredients (grams) Paint A (with SBS) Water 150.0 150.0 Propylene Glycol 15.0 15.0 Acrysol AP-10 2.0 2.0 Orotan 1288 4.0 4.0 Triton CF-10 2.00 2.00 Dispelair CF-246 1.00 1.00 Ti-Pure R-706 180.0 180.0 CC-1000 140.0 140.0 Dispersion B 320.0 320.0 Ropaque Ultra E 80.0 80.0 Texanol 18.0 18.0 Dispelair CF-246 1.00 1.00 Acrysol RM-2020 NPR 4.0 4.0 Acrysol RM-8W 0.3 0.3 SBS 0.1 Water 82.7 82.6 Total 1000.0 1000.0 EA Odor Strong Not found 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for reducing residual ethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, or the combination thereof, comprising contacting an ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenging compound selected from the group consisting of bisulfite salts, sulfite salts, mercaptan carboxylic acids or salts thereof, high boiling point water soluble alkamines, amino acids, and a combination thereof with a stable aqueous dispersion of a polymer to form a polymeric dispersion that contains less than 1 ppm of ethyl acrylate and less than 1 ppm acrylonitrile; wherein the polymer contains a) polymerized units of acrylonitrile, ethyl acrylate, or the combination thereof, and b) at least 5 ppm of ethyl acrylate monomer, acrylonitrile monomer, or the combination thereof; and wherein the ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenging compound are contacted with the aqueous dispersion of the polymer independently from contact of the aqueous dispersion of the polymer with any redox pairs; wherein the aqueous dispersion of the polymer comprises 0.01 wt % to 5 wt % of ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenging compound, based on the dry weight of the aqueous dispersion of the polymer.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to contacting the ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenging compound with the aqueous dispersion of the polymer, one or more redox pairs are contacted with the aqueous dispersion of the polymer.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein no redox pair is contacted with the aqueous dispersion of the polymer.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the ethyl acrylate/acrylonitrile scavenging compound is a bisulfite salt or a sulfite salt.
 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the bisulfite salt is ammonium bisulfite, sodium bisulfite, or potassium bisulfite; and the sulfite salt is ammonium sulfite, sodium sulfite, or potassium sulfite. 